AmateurRadio.com

Senator Ted Cruz, in this pre-Memorial-Day message, thanks amateur (ham) radio volunteers who serve the public through emergency communications, readiness to meet public communications needs, and are ever-ready technical assets.

Senator Ted Cruz Highlights Amateur Radio Public Service (Memorial Weekend 2026)

Sen. Cruz highlights the role these amateur radio FCC-licensed volunteers have in providing essential communications when violent storms knock out communications in local and regional areas, when power is out, cellular communications limited or overwhelmed, and communications services are stressed beyond capacity. Senator Cruz notes that these ham radio operators step forward to provide first-response communications in many situations, and gives examples of such in recent years, such as the 2017 Hurricane Harvey emergency when the catastrophic flooding across Texas took so many lives, and ham radio was there providing critical emergency communications. This was again demonstrated in the horrible Camp Mystic floods. He emphasized that as the United States of America prepares for yet another Summer Season, ham radio volunteers are ready to step up and provide these essential amateur emergency communications services. His comments also reflect growing Congressional recognition of the value Amateur Radio Operators bring to communities across the country.

Senator Cruz is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. His comments align with the ARRL’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and protect Amateur Radio’s role in emergency preparedness and public service communications. As a member of ARRL, I applaud the Senator’s acknowledgement of the service we amateur radio operators provide our communities.